Alpha Lipoic Acid
Indications
Alpha Lipoic Acid is used for:
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been used as an antioxidant for the treatment of diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Adult Dose
Oral
Cap: 300 to 1,800 mg daily in divided doses.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Contraindications have not yet been determined.
Precautions
Alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes or low blood sugar should take alpha-lipoic acid only under the supervision of their health care provider.
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy & lactation is lacking.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid :
Side effects are generally rare and may include insomnia, fatigue, diarrhea, and skin rash.
Allergic skin conditions are among the few reported adverse reactions of LA administration in humans.
Mechanism of Action
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant made by the body. It is found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy. Antioxidants attack "free radicals," waste products created when the body turns food into energy. Free radicals cause harmful chemical reactions that can damage cells, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. They also damage organs and tissues.
Other antioxidants work only in water (such as vitamin C) or fatty tissues (such as vitamin E). But alpha-lipoic acid is both fat and water soluble. That means it can work throughout the body. Antioxidants in the body are used up as they attack free radicals. But evidence suggests alpha-lipoic acid may help regenerate these other antioxidants and make them active again.
In the cells of the body, alpha-lipoic acid is changed into dihydrolipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid is not the same as alpha linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid that may help heart health. There is confusion between alpha-lipoic acid and alpa linolenic acid because both are sometimes abbreviated ALA. Alpha-lipoic acid is also sometimes called lipoic acid.